More than $101 million in grants awarded to rail & port infrastructure projects statewide

Funding supports 25 projects enhancing reliability & resiliency of major trade corridors across state

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that over $101 million in state funding has been awarded to support 25 projects across New York that will modernize key freight lines and port facilities under the state’s passenger and freight rail assistance program (PFRAP). This investment will enhance the reliability and resiliency of major trade corridors while also supporting the governor’s nation-leading agenda to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The projects focus on track and bridge rehabilitation, capacity expansion, procurement of cleaner rail equipment, and the modernization and expansion of rail infrastructure in freight yards and at seaport facilities.

“New York’s freight rail network is vital to our economy, and these investments represent a downpayment on a greener, safer and more productive state,” Hochul said. “New York is a national leader in freight rail, which is a fuel-efficient method to transport goods throughout the state and across the country. Investing in key freight infrastructure is a step forward in reducing New York’s emissions while modernizing our rail system.”

The winning projects include $1.7 million to connect a grain facility to the Finger Lakes Railway in Waterloo; $3.2 million to establish direct rail access to the South Buffalo Railroad at the UFP facility in Lackawanna; $4.6 million for bridge and track rehabilitation on the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad; and $1.6 million to enhance rail infrastructure in Sangerfield for improved access to local and international markets.

The New York City Department of Small Business Services (NYCSBS) and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) have each received two $10 million awards. The NYCSBS will use its funding for two projects: building a fully electrified maritime hub in Hunts Point and rehabilitating Pier 10 to support the Red Hook Container Terminal. The LIRR’s two awards will fund upgrades to the Fresh Pond Yard and English Kills bridges to meet modern loading and clearance standards.

The passenger and freight rail assistance program is administered by the New York State Department of Transportation and funds projects that support the safe movement of freight goods, improve service reliability to retain and grow manufacturing jobs, and support economic development. Winning projects were selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated based on established criteria including a benefit cost analysis, adherence to regional economic development plans, safety enhancements, compatibility with other private and public investments, and actions that enhance resilience and reduce climate risk.

Eligible project activities included track and bridge rehabilitation; yard, terminal and siding construction; elimination of clearance obstructions; wharf, dock and bulkhead construction and reconstruction; dredging; at-grade crossing railroad crossing resurfacing; material handling equipment storage facilities; wayside detectors and other projects that enhance the safe movement of goods, economic competitiveness and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

NYS DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Freight rail and port infrastructure is critical to New York’s global footprint while providing cost-effective solutions to getting goods to market quickly and efficiently. Thanks to Gov. Hochul’s commitment to advancing our rail and port capabilities, New York is making crucial infrastructure investments that will help the state remain competitive as an economic leader while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

In Western New York, $17,749,221 will go toward:

•$4,392,639 to Erie County IDA for the Welded Tube USA rail spur project, which will construct a new rail spur to support the operation of Welded Tube USA. The rail spur will enable the efficient transport of products, thereby reducing truck loads and emissions.

•$1,745,815 to Erie County IDA for the Buffalo Southern Railroad track improvement project, which will restore five miles of rail corridor on the Buffalo Southern Railroad main line. Upgrades include replacing failing timber deck, missing stone ballast, and a concrete culvert, as well as rehabilitating siding to return the track to an FRA Class 2 status for improved safety, efficiency and reliability.

•$3,645,000 to Falls Road Railroad Co. to replace aging rail in the mainline and use the released material to construct new sidings to improve capacity. The project will increase safety and capacity of the Falls Road Railroad.

•$3,284,640 to South Buffalo Railway Co. to establish direct rail access at the UFP facility in Lackawanna by constructing three new rail spurs that connect to the South Buffalo Railroad (SBRR), reducing truck traffic, lowering emissions, and enhancing operational efficiency.

•$4,681,127 to Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad to replace over 21,000 feet of rail, repair four bridges, rehabilitate four turnouts, and improve nine grade crossings on the BPRR main line and Machias secondary between Buffalo and the Pennsylvania state line. The project will avoid slow orders and contribute to a state of good repair along the line.

Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers! For more information, find NYSDOT on Facebook, follow on X or Instagram, or visit the DOT website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.